Meghan Markle’s decision to leave Hollywood for a life alongside Prince Harry was undoubtedly a bold move, as expressed by Tim Matheson.
In 2011, the famed actor and director of “Animal House” worked with the actress on an episode of her hit series “Suits.” In his memoir, “Damn Glad to Meet You: My Seven Decades in the Hollywood Trenches,” Matheson reflects on that intriguing time.
“It was quite unusual because she was engaged to someone else when I met her,” Matheson shared. “My immediate thought, being in the industry, was, ‘She’s going to step away from acting.’ It was a daring choice for her, marrying into the royal family. I mean, it sounded like a setup for a miniseries!”
Prior to her romance with the British royal, Markle was married to film producer Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2014. Her last episode of “Suits” aired shortly before her wedding to Harry in 2018.
Matheson described Markle as “charming” on set, believing she had a bright future ahead in Hollywood.
“She was undeniably beautiful and talented,” he noted, reminiscing about the camaraderie they shared. “During an early dinner with the cast, I got a glimpse of her warmth. There was simply something magical about her—a sparkle that was unmistakable.”
“It was odd because she was engaged to somebody else [when I met her]… My first thought, being an actor, was, ‘She’s going to quit acting.’ It was a bold move on her part, especially marrying into the royal family. I just thought, ‘That’s a miniseries.’ I mean, come on!”
“I simply recall her being an exceptional performer,” Matheson recalled. “I never felt anxious about any scene featuring her. She brought a level of finesse that was reassuring. Working with her was a delightful experience; the show thrived on that energy.”
However, their “happily ever after” narrative faced adversity in the U.K.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry has openly discussed the shifting dynamics within his family. He publicly cited the relentless scrutiny and discriminatory behavior from the British media as catalysts for their departure from royal roles.
As a father of two, Harry has laid bare the complexities of his familial ties in various interviews, a documentary, and his candid memoir. The couple has shared their challenges and grievances with the monarchy through interviews and their Netflix docuseries.
“I admire how frank she is about her experiences—both of them are,” Matheson remarked. “Many of us are keen to learn how they adapt to a more typical life beyond royal confines.”
“I truly have no insight into how welcomed she felt in the royal family,” he admitted. “I suspect there’s another side to the story that I am unaware of, but they managed themselves quite gracefully. They stayed true to their narrative. It was a tricky situation, but they did remarkably well.”
Since abandoning royal duties, many who have interacted with Markle are eager to share their experiences of working alongside her.
In 2023, “Suits” creator Aaron Korsh addressed the show’s revival on Netflix, commenting on how the royal family influenced dialogue choices regarding what Markle could say on screen.
“There were certain moments where the royal family had opinions,” Korsh explained, though he refrained from naming names. “It wasn’t an overwhelming number of changes, but a few that we wished to execute. It was a bit frustrating, like when we scripted a particular punchline.”
“For instance, my in-laws have a quirky term to address sensitive issues; they use the word ‘poppycock.’ It’s a humorous nod to their way of discussing delicate matters without conflict.”
“So, in one episode, we wanted her character, Rachel, to use that very word. The royal family requested we avoid it, not wanting to associate that word with her.”
“I suspect it was due to the unfortunate possibility of cutting together embarrassing snippets later. So, we switched to something more benign, which was disheartening because I had prepped my family to expect ‘poppycock’ in the show,” Korsh confessed. “There may have been a couple more instances, but the details escape me.”
Korsh mentioned he was not privy to how the royal family accessed scripts, only that their feedback was evident through various channels.
He couldn’t quite remember who informed him about the ruling against ‘poppycock,’ but he was certain it wasn’t Markle who delivered the news.
“Whoever conveyed it seemed just as reluctant as I was to hear it. Yet, once they explained their rationale, I found a measure of sympathy; I wouldn’t want anyone distorting Markle in that way either. But people can be rather unpredictable.”
Markle and Harry began their romance in 2016 while she was still going through her paces on “Suits.” Korsh felt it necessary to bring up the royal family’s influence to draw parallels with Harry’s revelations in his explosive memoir, “Spare.”
In his book, Harry described the significant impact of his family on Markle’s professional life, noting the sacrifice she made, “Meg packed up her house, gave up her role in ‘Suits.’ After seven seasons, that was a challenging transition for her, as she cherished the show, her character, and her friends in Canada.”
“Still, her circumstances became unbearable, particularly on set. The writers found themselves frequently adapting scripts at the palace’s request, affecting her character’s direction and actions.”
Since they stepped away from royal obligations, there’s persistent speculation about what comes next for the couple, both within the film industry and beyond.
A former “Suits” executive producer acknowledged the difficulties in reuniting Markle with her former cast members.
“I would imagine that such a reunion is highly unlikely,” Gene Klein shared with TV Line.
